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The Salvadorans are conservative in most aspects of
their lives and this is best seen in their behaviors, dress, and dining etiquette.
They tend to dress and act conservatively, much of which is based on the doctrines
of their Catholic faith. However, there is also great variety in the way the Salvadorans
behave as the country is quite diverse ethnically and geographically.

As a visitor to El Salvador try to follow the lead of
the locals by dressing conservatively (see below for details), dining in the local
etiquette (see our El Salvador Dining &
Food Page), and avoid sensitive conversation topics, such as politics, finances,
and business unless initiated by your local counterpart. Also try to avoid being
loud, rude, showing off wealth, or getting noticeably drunk in public.

Although most people today wear western-styled clothing in El Salvador, there are
a number of people that cling to more traditional dress, including many of the ethnic
Mayans. This traditional dress is strongly tied to both Mayan and Spanish clothing
as women wear a long, loose-fitting, short-sleeved dress with a large collar around
the neck. These dresses can come in numerous colors and tend to have decorations
and designs that brighten them up. Men traditionally wore white pants and white
shirts with a simple hat, but today few men dress in this manner.

Most people in El Salvador today dress in western-styled clothing and the style
from individual to individual can vary substantially, but most people do dress on
the more conservative side. In cities long pants and long-sleeved shirts are common
for most occasions, but on weekends and along the beaches shorts and short-sleeve
shirts are popular. However, dress is truly reliant on the situation as business
settings require more formal and conservative dress as do visits to a church. As
a visitor to El Salvador, you should also dress for the occasion, but if in doubt
remain on the more conservative side. Also, be aware that sunbathing naked or women
sunbathing topless is rarely to never permitted; if in doubt, check with locals
before doing so.